Trending Now - Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman to Retire After Uconn's Return

WHO:

WTNH - Val Ackerman, Big East Conference Commissioner

ESPN - Val Ackerman, Big East Commissioner; Rev. Brian J. Shanley, St. John's President and chair of the Big East Board of Directors

WHAT:

WTNH - Val Ackerman announced her retirement from the Big East Conference.

ESPN - Ackerman has served as the Big East Commissioner for 13 years and oversaw the league's transition to a basketball-centric conference.

ESPN - Under Ackerman's leadership, the Big East won a combined eight national championships in men's and women's basketball.

ESPN - Ackerman negotiated UConn's return to the Big East in the summer of 2020, after the Huskies had previously left the conference.

WHERE:

WTNH - New York, where the Big East Conference is based.

WHEN:

WTNH - Ackerman's retirement was announced on April 20th, 2026, and will take effect in the summer of 2026.

ESPN - Ackerman became the Big East Commissioner in the summer of 2013.

WHY:

ESPN - Ackerman stated, "I believe the time is right for me to hand off the baton," indicating her confidence in the future of the conference.

HOW:

ESPN - Ackerman led the Big East through a period of realignment and established partnerships with FOX Sports and Madison Square Garden to enhance the conference's profile.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 21:14 UTC)

Val Ackerman announced her retirement as Big East Conference Commissioner on Monday, after 13 years in the role, during which she transformed the league into a basketball-centric powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Big East secured eight national championships in men's and women's basketball and saw the successful return of UConn to the conference in 2020. Ackerman expressed her belief that the time is right to "hand off the baton," confident in the future of the conference as she prepares to step down in the summer of 2026.